On the 66th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of Nagasaki, the NYC War Resisters League will join with Kairos Community and Catholic Worker for a vigil, as well as displaying an exhibit about the bombings of Hiroshima/Nagasaki.
Please bring your own signs and join in protest!
Tuesday, August 9th
5 - 7 PM
Washington Square Park in Manhattan across from Judson Church, 55 Washington Sq. So. (at Thompson St.),
(SUBWAYS: “West 4th St.” on B, C, D, E, F, M trains; “8th Street” on R, N trains)
Sunday, August 07, 2011
Thursday, August 04, 2011
On the News With Thom Hartmann: Minnesota GOP Legislation Written by ALEC, Funded by Koch Brothers and Wal-Mart, and More
From the Thom Hartmann News Report, Thurs. 8/4:
The Minnesota state government may be open for business again after a shut down a few weeks ago – but the legislators aren’t working on new laws. Instead – transnational corporations are. The group Common Cause just released a report that shows a number of bills passing out of the Minnesota state legislature last session were actually written by the shadowy, non-profit organization known as the American Legislative Exchange Council – or ALEC. The organization – which is funded by the likes of the Koch brother and Walmart – is comprised of current and former lawmakers – as well as the heads of some of the biggest transnational corporations in the world. And ALEC’s job is to write corporate-friendly legislation to pass on to state lawmakers to turn into law in their respective states. Among ALEC’s successes in Minnesota: legislation that makes it harder for people to vote – legislation that protects corporations from consumer lawsuits – legislation that prevents regulations of greenhouse gases – and legislation that gives tobacco companies tax breaks. So here we have elected lawmakers outsourcing their jobs to corporate interests – still don’t think the corporatocracy has replaced our democracy?
Tuesday, August 02, 2011
Aug. 5: REMEMBER HIROSHIMA & NAGASAKI: NEVER AGAIN!
From The Granny Peace Brigade:
REMEMBER HIROSHIMA & NAGASAKI: NEVER AGAIN!
Friday, August 5, 2011, Noon to 1:30PM
Armed Forces Career Center (former U.S. Military Recruitment Center)
7th Ave & Broadway
(near 44th Street)
As our recent track record (as a nation) seems to demonstrate, we Yanks have a tough time learning from our own history. So this Friday we're having a refresher course.
On the tragic and shameful anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we will gather in Times Square -- to remind a forgetful public of these past tragedies and to encourage the citizens of the world to join together to put an end to nuclear weapons.
Join us. On this infamous anniversary, lets renew our commitment to a peaceful and just world.
REMEMBER HIROSHIMA & NAGASAKI: NEVER AGAIN!
Friday, August 5, 2011, Noon to 1:30PM
Armed Forces Career Center (former U.S. Military Recruitment Center)
7th Ave & Broadway
(near 44th Street)
As our recent track record (as a nation) seems to demonstrate, we Yanks have a tough time learning from our own history. So this Friday we're having a refresher course.
On the tragic and shameful anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we will gather in Times Square -- to remind a forgetful public of these past tragedies and to encourage the citizens of the world to join together to put an end to nuclear weapons.
Join us. On this infamous anniversary, lets renew our commitment to a peaceful and just world.
Billy Bragg sings "Never Buy the Sun" on the Murdoch hacking scandal
Billy Bragg sings "Never Buy the Sun" on the Murdoch hacking scandal. On Democracy Now Just for the record people from Liverpool are called "Scousers."
For the complete one hour interview with Billy Bragg on Democracy Now in which he discusses the song & the whole Murdoch scandal (and much more). He also sings (among others) "There's Power in the Union."
Billy Bragg: Legendary British Rocker on Norway Attacks, Activism & His Latest, “Never Buy The Sun”
For the complete one hour interview with Billy Bragg on Democracy Now in which he discusses the song & the whole Murdoch scandal (and much more). He also sings (among others) "There's Power in the Union."
Billy Bragg: Legendary British Rocker on Norway Attacks, Activism & His Latest, “Never Buy The Sun”
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Murdoch, Homer & history
In an article, in this week's Economist (7/23/11), a writer named "Schumpeter", I don't know what if any relation he is to the famous Economist/political scientist Joseph Schumpeter, writes
He [Rupert Murdoch] saved the British newspaper industry from being destroyed by thuggish print unions, endured years of losses to make satellite television a success, cracked the American television triopoly with the creation of Fox and gave the world Homer Simpson.I leave it to you to decide for which of these Murdoch will ultimately be remembered. I know which my choice would be - "doh!."
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Amy Winehouse follows a tragic rock tradition
The death of Amy Winehouse follows a rock tradition we could do well without. Winehouse (1983-2011) shares one thing in common with Rolling Stones' Brian Jones (1942-1969), Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970), Janis Joplin (1943-1970), Jim Morrison (1943-1971) & Kurt Cobain (1967-1994) besides being rock stars. If you do the math, you'll notice they all died @ 27. It does make you re-think the importance of fate in human events.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Pushing Crisis: GOP Cries Wolf on Debt Ceiling In Order To Impose Radical Pro-Rich Agenda
Two things are becoming more & more clear as President Obama & Congress come to an agreement on how to resolve the current manufactured "debt limit" crisis. First, the corporate oligarchy is following the same historical pattern that Naomi Klein demonstrated so masterfully in The Shock Doctrine. After either a real or manufactured crisis - like the Aug. 2nd deadline to raise the debt limit - is created, the corporate oligarchy takes advantage of the shocks that emanate from the crisis to further enrich & empower themselves. This is, of course, enabled by the corporate-owned politicians & media. And that's effectively what Prof. Michael Hudson argues in this episode (7/22) of Democracy Now. He says:
Pushing Crisis: GOP Cries Wolf on Debt Ceiling In Order To Impose Radical Pro-Rich Agenda
What do Obama, the Gang of Six and Paul Ryan have in common by Jack Rasmus (Truthout)
What's happening across the world is an attempt by the financial sector to really make its move. ... This is their opportunity for a power grab...to carve up the public domain & give themselves enough money, they're taking the money & running,,,, The only question is how much can they take & how fast.The other thing we're learning is much more about President Obama and his role in all this. Sometime ago, it was suggested that if there were still progressive Republicans, Obama would be a Republican. Michael Hudson says:
You could see it all coming before Mr. Obama took office when he appointed the Deficit Reduction Commission. He appointed opponents of social security [like] Republican Senator Simpson, Bowles, Clinton's Chief of Staff. Obama really believes in trickle down economics. He believes that Wall Street [are] job creators, not downsizers And outsourcers and foreclosers. That's the tragedy of all this. Now the question is how can a Democratic president put forth a Republican program? In reality there has to be a crisis [when] in reality there is no crisis at all.
Pushing Crisis: GOP Cries Wolf on Debt Ceiling In Order To Impose Radical Pro-Rich Agenda
What do Obama, the Gang of Six and Paul Ryan have in common by Jack Rasmus (Truthout)
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Aug. 7: Hiroshima/Nagasaki Memorial:
Sunday, August 7, 2:30-4:30 PM
Casserly Hall, below St. Joseph's Greenwich Village Church.
( Enter on Washington Pl just off Sixth Ave)
Hiroshima/Nagasaki Memorial: This event is a commemoration of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and an appeal
to abolish nuclear weapons today. The theme is Interfaith Perspectives on Nuclear Weapons. It will provide an overview of Catholic Social Teaching on the topic and then hear from Buddhist and Muslim presenters.
Speakers: Hiro Sakurai, chairman of the UN Committee on Disarmament, Peace and Security, representing the Soka Gakkai NGO, a lay Buddhist organization, and
Ibrahim Ramey, Program Director of the Muslim American Society and former Program Director on Disarmament with Fellowship of Reconciliation.
Preceding the talk and discussion will be an interfaith prayer, followed by a public witness.
Casserly Hall, below St. Joseph's Greenwich Village Church.
( Enter on Washington Pl just off Sixth Ave)
Hiroshima/Nagasaki Memorial: This event is a commemoration of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and an appeal
to abolish nuclear weapons today. The theme is Interfaith Perspectives on Nuclear Weapons. It will provide an overview of Catholic Social Teaching on the topic and then hear from Buddhist and Muslim presenters.
Speakers: Hiro Sakurai, chairman of the UN Committee on Disarmament, Peace and Security, representing the Soka Gakkai NGO, a lay Buddhist organization, and
Ibrahim Ramey, Program Director of the Muslim American Society and former Program Director on Disarmament with Fellowship of Reconciliation.
Preceding the talk and discussion will be an interfaith prayer, followed by a public witness.
Whose side is Obama on?
Here's what President Obama said yesterday (7/19) about the "Gang of Six" plan on the economy:
For more on this see Who Will Suffer Under the 'Gang of Six' Plan? | The Nation
The good news is that today, a group of senators, the "Gang of Six," Democrats and Republicans -- I guess now gang of seven, because one additional Republican senator added on -- put forward a proposal is that is broadly consistent with the approach that I've urged.Dean Baker co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR), issued the following statement on the Gang of Six deficit plan:
For Republican senators to acknowledge that revenues will have to be part of a balanced package that makes sure that nobody is disproportionately hurt from us making progress on the debt and deficits, I think is a very significant step.
In short, this is a plan that should be expected to please the wealthy since it will mean large reductions in their tax liability in the decades ahead. On the other hand, most of the rest of the country is likely to feel the effects of lower Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits, in addition to other cuts that are not yet fully specified.
For more on this see Who Will Suffer Under the 'Gang of Six' Plan? | The Nation
Bachmann's problem is foot-in-mouth disease, not migraines
If anyone believes that it's migraine headaches that would prevent Michelle Bachmann from being a good president, they haven't heard a word that comes out of her mouth.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
The Neo-cons & Iran: Chalabi redux
What can we say about people who keep repeating the same action and expecting a different result? Here's the neo-con version of this psychiatric dilemma.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Petition - Shared Sacrifice: Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt)
For many reasons I don't think that Obama is listening to any calls for "shared sacrifice" but I trust Bernie Sanders so I think it's worth signing this.
Petition - Shared Sacrifice: Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt)
Petition - Shared Sacrifice: Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt)
organized wealth v. organized labor
organized wealth v. organized labor by Chip Berlet (from Daily Kos)
Friday, July 15, 2011
Right wing Agnotology or "culturally-induced ignorance..."
My friend Burt asked me if I had ever heard about the term agnotology, which according to Paul Krugman "is, culturally-induced ignorance or doubt." It seems to me that it explains allot about the current debate over increasing the debt limit.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Quote of the day: Dean Baker, "Manufacturing deficit fear"
As survey after survey shows, the vast majority of the public are incredibly ignorant of the most basic facts about the budget and the economy. If we treated their teachers in the media the way the educational reformers treat public school teachers, few economics and budget reporters would have jobs.From: Dean Baker, "Manufacturing deficit fear"
Friday, July 08, 2011
Israel's no fly zone: European airlines refuse to board pro-Palestinian activists by Dahr Jamail (Al Jazeera English)
Yes I.F. (Stone) "All governments lie", but Israel's leaders must now have the longest noses in the world. Here are just two examples of Israel's demonic fantasy world:
Israel's no fly zone from Al Jazeera English
On July 5, Israeli Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch called the activists "hooligans" and said they would be barred from entry.
Israeli Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said officers deployed at Tel Aviv's Ben-Gurion International Airport have been prepared to deal with scenarios such as airport officials being attacked or activists settings themselves on fire.
Israel's no fly zone from Al Jazeera English
Thursday, July 07, 2011
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
The-Plot-Thickens-on-2012-Race (CCDSLinks--Weekly News and Views)
This looks like a link worth following, I'm going to add it to the blog links & follow it for a while
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/-The-Plot-Thickens-on-2012-Race----CCDSLinks--Weekly-News-and-Views---June-24--2011.html?soid=1103584185760&aid=LoDOB-6PZHU
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/-The-Plot-Thickens-on-2012-Race----CCDSLinks--Weekly-News-and-Views---June-24--2011.html?soid=1103584185760&aid=LoDOB-6PZHU
The latest news from the Freedom Flotilla (Al Jazeera English)
A French boat has set sail for Gaza from Corsica in the latest attempt by activists to deliver aid to the Palestinian territory, according to a journalist aboard the vessel.
Meanwhile, the captain of a US ship, who was arrested by Greek authorities, was released on [today] and all charges against him dropped, Al Jazeera's Jamal Elshayyal reported from Athens.
"He has not been fined for anything, and he is a free man. This after Greek authorities arrested him or detained him late on Friday as he tried to bring his ship out and take the passengers to Gaza," Elshayyal said.
French flotilla boat sets sail for Gaza (Al Jazeera English)
Monday, July 04, 2011
Hope lost, audacity found: the latest on the flotilla (from: Al Jazeera English)
While watching the 4th of July fireworks from our living room (our video of some of it is on Facebook) I couldn't help but wonder what we were celebrating, certainly not freedom w/ the Gaza Freedom Flotilla mired in Greek waters. Today a second flotilla boat was hauled back by the Greek Coast Guard after attempting to sail to Gaza. This article from AJE is an interesting comparison of Obama & the flotilla and JFK & the freedom riders in the '60s. Obama could be demanding that U.S. citizens be allowed to sail to Gaza if they so choose, but instead he's threatening to arrest them. While liberty is celebrated above the Hudson River, we are clearly losing more & more of ours every day.
Hope lost, audacity found - Opinion - Al Jazeera English
Hope lost, audacity found - Opinion - Al Jazeera English
Saturday, July 02, 2011
Israel proves I.F. Stone right again, "All governments lie..."
(Photo: Reuters)
News note: A Jordanian union leader told Agence France Presse that a boat has been purchased for $800,000 in Greece to carry construction materials, medical supplies, and 200 additional passengers to join the Gaza Freedom Flotilla of ten ships and several hundred passengers from 20 countries. [As I'm sure you already know] The Flotilla, which was scheduled to depart last week, is currently being delayed by Greek authorities. (from IMEMC News) Also eight Flotilla Activists, who were arrested while on a hunger strike at the U.S. embassy in Greece, have been released. U.S. Boat to Gaza
The full I.F.Stone quote is "All governments lie, but disaster lies in wait for countries whose officials smoke the same hashish they give out." Without in any way suggesting that the courageous flotilla activists shouldn't stick with it, it's also time to declare victory. The flotilla has forced Israel to attack boats that haven't even left Greece. What are they afraid of? Talk about terrorism, what about sabotaging boats in Greek waters, just to keep them from heading for Gaza. Here's a perfect example of how much Israeli spokespeople can be trusted:
It should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with the situation of Palestinians (particularly in the occupied territories) that the U.S. media would echo the Israeli propaganda. Richard Falk writes:
International support for the Flotilla is growing. There may be counter pressure on the Greek government to let the Flotilla sail to Gaza forcing Israel to act openly instead of under the radar.
News note: A Jordanian union leader told Agence France Presse that a boat has been purchased for $800,000 in Greece to carry construction materials, medical supplies, and 200 additional passengers to join the Gaza Freedom Flotilla of ten ships and several hundred passengers from 20 countries. [As I'm sure you already know] The Flotilla, which was scheduled to depart last week, is currently being delayed by Greek authorities. (from IMEMC News) Also eight Flotilla Activists, who were arrested while on a hunger strike at the U.S. embassy in Greece, have been released. U.S. Boat to Gaza
The full I.F.Stone quote is "All governments lie, but disaster lies in wait for countries whose officials smoke the same hashish they give out." Without in any way suggesting that the courageous flotilla activists shouldn't stick with it, it's also time to declare victory. The flotilla has forced Israel to attack boats that haven't even left Greece. What are they afraid of? Talk about terrorism, what about sabotaging boats in Greek waters, just to keep them from heading for Gaza. Here's a perfect example of how much Israeli spokespeople can be trusted:
It should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with the situation of Palestinians (particularly in the occupied territories) that the U.S. media would echo the Israeli propaganda. Richard Falk writes:
On a second level of Orwellian distortion, a somewhat more subtle case against the flotilla has been put forward. The daily existence of the entrapped, impoverished, and mentally and physically debilitated Gazans have been depicted by Israeli propagandists as if they were enjoying a glitzy pleasure kingdom that benefits its 1.6 million inhabitants. No less a journalistic personality than Ethan Bronner, long a skilled Israeli apologist, opens a front page story in the New York Times newspaper on June 28, 2011, ... [an] absurdly glowing description of the situation in Gaza
What makes this travesty on conditions in Gaza newsworthy is not these good things that are supposedly happening, but its relevance to the Israeli contention that the humanitarian rationale for the flotilla mission is fatuous and unnecessary because life for Gazans, despite appearances to the contrary, is going along in sprightly fashion behind the barbed wire and walls that enclose the enclave.In other words, as usual, Israel lies and the U.S. media swear to it.
International support for the Flotilla is growing. There may be counter pressure on the Greek government to let the Flotilla sail to Gaza forcing Israel to act openly instead of under the radar.
Friday, July 01, 2011
US BOAT TO GAZA STOPPED! EMERGENCY RESPONSE! MEET AT 5PM AT TIMES SQUARE
U.S. BOAT STOPPED! EMERGENCY RESPONSE! MEET TODAY, 5 PM, TIMES SQUARE, BETWEEN 46TH AND 47TH ON BROADWAY.
EMERGENCY PROTEST: LET THE AUDACITY OF HOPE SAIL!
At 9:45 am EST, the Audacity of Hope set sail from Greece, but less than half an hour later the Greek Coast Guard stopped the boat and demanded it return to port (see updates below).
Emergency protests are being called all around the US.
Join the NYC protest today (Friday), 5 pm!
LIVE BLOG: Greek Authorities Intercept U.S. Boat For Gaza Minutes After It Set Sail (Updated 12:45 p.m. EDT)
EMERGENCY PROTEST: LET THE AUDACITY OF HOPE SAIL!
At 9:45 am EST, the Audacity of Hope set sail from Greece, but less than half an hour later the Greek Coast Guard stopped the boat and demanded it return to port (see updates below).
Emergency protests are being called all around the US.
Join the NYC protest today (Friday), 5 pm!
LIVE BLOG: Greek Authorities Intercept U.S. Boat For Gaza Minutes After It Set Sail (Updated 12:45 p.m. EDT)
July 4th: Annual Public Reading & discussion of the Constitution w/ Norman Siegel
Monday, July 4th, 12:00 noon
Central Park Constitution Festival with Norman Siegel
Strawberry Fields
Join famed civil liberties attorney Norman Siegel at the Annual Constitution Festival! We will discuss the various articles and amendments and determine how well or how poorly they are being applied and interpreted today. If it rains, worry not - there is a nearby sanctuary!
Enter at Central Park West and 72nd Street and follow the sign to Strawberry Fields, about a block away.
Central Park Constitution Festival with Norman Siegel
Strawberry Fields
Join famed civil liberties attorney Norman Siegel at the Annual Constitution Festival! We will discuss the various articles and amendments and determine how well or how poorly they are being applied and interpreted today. If it rains, worry not - there is a nearby sanctuary!
Enter at Central Park West and 72nd Street and follow the sign to Strawberry Fields, about a block away.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Supes: love violence, fear sex
Robert Scheer writes on Truth Dig "Yes to Violence, No to Sex" in response to the latest Supreme Court decision on free speech for minors, especially as enunciated in Scalia's opinion. In which while opposing any ban on violent video games, he reaffirms the Court ban on "prurient" & "obscene" materials for minors and most other Americans.
I agree, as does Scheer, with the Supe decision against any government ban on violent video games; but not with its hypocritical reaffirmation of its agreement with bans on sexuality. After all, unlike violence, sex is the most natural act human beings can engage in. Although I do believe that parents should have the right (obligation?) to control what their minor children see, I don't believe that viewing a nude body or even a loving sex act will damage their little psyches. In fact, there's probably reason to believe that it might make American adults more comfortable with nudity and sex. This raises the question: why is the male majority on the Supreme Court in love with violence and afraid of sex.? To what extent do they mirror the male population of the country? Unfortunately, I believe too much.
I agree, as does Scheer, with the Supe decision against any government ban on violent video games; but not with its hypocritical reaffirmation of its agreement with bans on sexuality. After all, unlike violence, sex is the most natural act human beings can engage in. Although I do believe that parents should have the right (obligation?) to control what their minor children see, I don't believe that viewing a nude body or even a loving sex act will damage their little psyches. In fact, there's probably reason to believe that it might make American adults more comfortable with nudity and sex. This raises the question: why is the male majority on the Supreme Court in love with violence and afraid of sex.? To what extent do they mirror the male population of the country? Unfortunately, I believe too much.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Catholic leadership reaction to same sex marriage: predictable
It's fascinating how the "religious leaders" have reacted to the State Senate vote to legalize lesbian & gay marriage, according to today's (6/26) Daily News. First of all they are both Catholic. I'm not sure how other "religious leaders" are reacting. But the Catholic bishops are reacting totally predictably. New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan said
I think for anybody, especially state government, to tamper with something as sacred and timeless and as much a part of the human condition as marriage is careless.I agree 100%. The state should not say who can and who can't get married.
The state was absolutely correct to step out of the business of "tamper[ing] with ... marriage," in particular, who can and who can't indulge in "something as sacred and timeless and as much a part of the human condition as marriage". Historically, the Catholic leadership has taken the position that when the state acts to make illegal what they oppose (see abortion), the state is doing the right thing. But when the state decides to step out of the business of deciding which people (women, gays) can make their own choices, then it is "careless".
This nonsense was echoed by Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio. He told The Daily News, "The state should not be concerned abut regulating affection." Exactly. And that's what 33 senators said with their votes on Friday night. Di Marzio said some other ridiculous things, but I will only mention one more.
It [passage of same sex marriage] is destructive because we fail to view marriage in the context of a vocation: a calling to participate in the great enterprise of forming the next generation. Marriage is reduced to an empty honor.He says this despite the fact that it is obvious that lesbians and gay men are more than capable of "forming the next generation" by bringing up wonderful children. He should be advocating - if he is to be taken at all seriously - that no one (or two) who want a childless marriage should be issued a marriage license, no matter their sexual orientation.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Gov. Cuomo signs bill legalizing gay & lesbian marriage in New York State
And that's our neighbor and friend Sen. Tom Duane - the bill's primary sponsor in the Senate - hidden in the back between the other two on the right. Congratulations.
N.Y. becomes sixth (& largest) state to recognize gay& lesbian marriage
Finally! Gay men and lesbians are going to be treated as human beings with the same rights (to marry) as everyone else in New York State. A struggle for equality, which began at the Stonewall Inn on the night of June 27, 1969, has finally led to one of the most basic of human rights - the right to marry the person you love. In other words, the right to be treated as a human being.
Although it took eons to become a reality, is it possible to imagine a better weekend for the "right to marry" to become a reality. There is still much to be done, but Sunday will be one hell of a Pride March. And we'll be there as we have been since 1976.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Video: "The End of the American Dream
I'm not at all sure for who the "American Dream" actually existed. Or maybe better put, I think the dream existed for many people, but it was never a reality for most Americans. The dream is what kept Americans going - particularly to work - from day-to-day. Now that there are far more people than jobs, the corporate oligarchs and their political and media pets no longer need even to make believe that most Americans can share in the "Dream". Now the oligarchs can simply keep virtually the whole pie for themselves. And that's exactly what they are doing.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
Tell Fox to fire "Follow the Money" host Eric Bolling for race-baiting
Dear Dan,
Since Tuesday, more than 65,000 people have signed onto a petition calling on Fox Business Network Chairman Roger Ailes to fire “Follow the Money” host Eric Bolling for his race-baiting comments targeting President Obama. Will you join us? Your voice can make a real difference.
The response has been tremendous, and major media are covering the campaign.1 Clearly Bolling and Fox are feeling the heat. Bolling issued a weak pseudo-apology earlier this week saying that he had gotten, “a little fast and loose with the language.” But his “apology” was disingenuous, as the offensive material was obviously scripted and premeditated.2
Which is why we’re keeping the pressure on. We plan to deliver the petitions to Fox Business chief Roger Ailes soon. Can you help us get to 80,000 before we do?
It takes just a moment to add your voice — just click below. After you do, please ask your friends and family to do the same.
act.colorofchange.org
Thanks and Peace,
-- Rashad, James, Gabriel, William, Dani, Matt, Natasha, and the rest of the ColorOfchange.org team
June 17th, 2011
References:
1. “Black political group demands firing of Fox Business Network host,” Los Angeles Times, 6-16-11
2. “Tell Fox: Fire Eric Bolling,” Huffington Post, 6-16-11
Since Tuesday, more than 65,000 people have signed onto a petition calling on Fox Business Network Chairman Roger Ailes to fire “Follow the Money” host Eric Bolling for his race-baiting comments targeting President Obama. Will you join us? Your voice can make a real difference.
The response has been tremendous, and major media are covering the campaign.1 Clearly Bolling and Fox are feeling the heat. Bolling issued a weak pseudo-apology earlier this week saying that he had gotten, “a little fast and loose with the language.” But his “apology” was disingenuous, as the offensive material was obviously scripted and premeditated.2
Which is why we’re keeping the pressure on. We plan to deliver the petitions to Fox Business chief Roger Ailes soon. Can you help us get to 80,000 before we do?
It takes just a moment to add your voice — just click below. After you do, please ask your friends and family to do the same.
act.colorofchange.org
Thanks and Peace,
-- Rashad, James, Gabriel, William, Dani, Matt, Natasha, and the rest of the ColorOfchange.org team
June 17th, 2011
References:
1. “Black political group demands firing of Fox Business Network host,” Los Angeles Times, 6-16-11
2. “Tell Fox: Fire Eric Bolling,” Huffington Post, 6-16-11
Thursday, June 16, 2011
June 23: Donna Minkowitz & others @ Bluestockings
Thursday, June 23rd, 7PM - $5 Suggested
Lesbian & Bisexual Literary Pride Showcase
Hosted by Donna Minkowitz
BLUESTOCKINGS
172 Allen Street @ Stanton
(We host events nearly every night and you will not be turned away from an event at Bluestockings for lack of money.
bluestockings.com
Featuring Ellis Avery, Rachel Simon, Alison Smith & Aoibheann Sweeney
Get some doses of (L)esbian and (B)i-sexual literature into your LGBTQ life with Lambda winners and featured writers. Tonight's show features queer pride with a great lineup of writers, including: journalist Donna Minkowitz ("Ferocious Romance"), novelist Ellis Avery ("The Teahouse Fire"), poet Rachel Simon ("Theory of Orange"), chronicler Alison Smith ("Name All the Animals"), and mythologist Aoibheann Sweeney ("Among Other Things, I've Taken Up Smoking").
Lesbian & Bisexual Literary Pride Showcase
Hosted by Donna Minkowitz
BLUESTOCKINGS
172 Allen Street @ Stanton
(We host events nearly every night and you will not be turned away from an event at Bluestockings for lack of money.
bluestockings.com
Featuring Ellis Avery, Rachel Simon, Alison Smith & Aoibheann Sweeney
Get some doses of (L)esbian and (B)i-sexual literature into your LGBTQ life with Lambda winners and featured writers. Tonight's show features queer pride with a great lineup of writers, including: journalist Donna Minkowitz ("Ferocious Romance"), novelist Ellis Avery ("The Teahouse Fire"), poet Rachel Simon ("Theory of Orange"), chronicler Alison Smith ("Name All the Animals"), and mythologist Aoibheann Sweeney ("Among Other Things, I've Taken Up Smoking").
Thoughts on Weiner's resignation & its aftermath
Rep. Anthony Weiner has resigned and has sort of faced the media. A few thoughts about Weiner & his resignation. But first let me quote from Rob Kall on OpEdNews on why Rep. Weiner should stay:
With regard to the second of Kall's points about losing a progressive voice the best thing we can do is put pressure on Cuomo to appoint a true progressive to fill the seat. Anyone have any ideas?
The truth is, if Weiner resigns, as he is being pushed to do by his hypocritical, moral midget critics, then his replacement will be appointed by a moderate and will surely be a weak, compliant team player, unlike Weiner, who has stood out for his strong progressive positions.Basically I perceive two arguments against his resignation in Kall's comments. (1) The people calling for his resignation are hypocrites - both Republicans & Democrats; (2) His replacement will not be as progressive as Weiner & we will lose a spokesperson. My concerns are quite different. Just as when President Clinton was caught messing around with Monica Lewinsky in the Oval Office my main concern was and is: what kind of message does this send to young people, especially young men (Andrew was a young teenager at the time). When people take on the responsibilities of public office (as well as athletes & entertainers to a lesser extent) they take on the responsibility of being role models for young people. Whether they want to or not. It's simply part of the job. What kind of message does Weiner's behavior send to young men about how to treat women. Clearly even more so than Clinton who was engaged in a mutually initiated affair (although by no means an equal one), it seems that Weiner, in most instances, initiated a relationship with women who contacted him in a political not a sexual context. In other words, they said we really admire your work and he replied: "What about my penis?" So I think his resignation is the best thing he could have done, especially since he spent the first week of this mess lying to everybody. Real politics requires trust.
He should not resign. He should get help, get counsel and stay in the role he was elected to serve. Sanctimonious, self-righteous, hypocrite Republicans and immoral, sell-out Democrats have no right to tell him what to do. Let his constituents decide.
With regard to the second of Kall's points about losing a progressive voice the best thing we can do is put pressure on Cuomo to appoint a true progressive to fill the seat. Anyone have any ideas?
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Tonight at midnight, New York’s rent laws expire. We have to act now.
Dear Dan,
Tonight at midnight, New York’s rent laws expire.
An estimated 2.5 million New Yorkers depend on the rent regulations to keep their housing costs stable in an unstable economy. But even if the current law is renewed, it’s not enough. We need to strengthen the law and end the “vacancy decontrol” giveaways to the Big Landlords.
Legislators are scrambling over the next few days trying to put the new law in place. Governor Cuomo is leading the fight, and has said he will not let the legislature adjourn until they do so. We applaud his leadership.
But the Republican-led state senate is standing in the way. They’ve been bought and paid for by the landlords lobbying association, the “Rent Stabilization Association.” Ironic name. They’re not interested in stabilizing anything other than their profit margins.
It’s bad enough when you’re an upstate Republican who is willing to meddle in New York City’s housing laws in exchange for contributions from the Big Landlords. But it’s even worse to sign onto the Big Landlords’ reckless anti-tenant agenda when you represent one of the five boroughs.
That’s why State Senator Marty Golden is so important.
Golden has gotten contributions from the RSA. However, he has 37,900 rent regulated units in his Brooklyn district. That’s about 95,000 tenants who will be put at risk in his very own district if the RSA gets its way.
The RSA’s president was caught on video saying he “emptied our piggy bank” to keep the Republicans in power and in line with their agenda.
Please, tell Marty Golden that the only agenda that should matter to him is his own constituents. Ask him to stand up to the RSA and to end the loopholes:
To make sure Marty Golden knows we're counting on him to stand up for his constituents, we want to gather signatures from thousands of New Yorkers .
We’ll be watching where each state senator and assembly member falls in this fight. Whether they’re with us and the tenants or with the Big Landlords and lobbyists. And we’ll remember come election time.
Thanks for all you do,
Bill Lipton
Deputy Director, WFP
Tonight at midnight, New York’s rent laws expire.
An estimated 2.5 million New Yorkers depend on the rent regulations to keep their housing costs stable in an unstable economy. But even if the current law is renewed, it’s not enough. We need to strengthen the law and end the “vacancy decontrol” giveaways to the Big Landlords.
Legislators are scrambling over the next few days trying to put the new law in place. Governor Cuomo is leading the fight, and has said he will not let the legislature adjourn until they do so. We applaud his leadership.
But the Republican-led state senate is standing in the way. They’ve been bought and paid for by the landlords lobbying association, the “Rent Stabilization Association.” Ironic name. They’re not interested in stabilizing anything other than their profit margins.
It’s bad enough when you’re an upstate Republican who is willing to meddle in New York City’s housing laws in exchange for contributions from the Big Landlords. But it’s even worse to sign onto the Big Landlords’ reckless anti-tenant agenda when you represent one of the five boroughs.
That’s why State Senator Marty Golden is so important.
Golden has gotten contributions from the RSA. However, he has 37,900 rent regulated units in his Brooklyn district. That’s about 95,000 tenants who will be put at risk in his very own district if the RSA gets its way.
The RSA’s president was caught on video saying he “emptied our piggy bank” to keep the Republicans in power and in line with their agenda.
Please, tell Marty Golden that the only agenda that should matter to him is his own constituents. Ask him to stand up to the RSA and to end the loopholes:
To make sure Marty Golden knows we're counting on him to stand up for his constituents, we want to gather signatures from thousands of New Yorkers .
We’ll be watching where each state senator and assembly member falls in this fight. Whether they’re with us and the tenants or with the Big Landlords and lobbyists. And we’ll remember come election time.
Thanks for all you do,
Bill Lipton
Deputy Director, WFP
Monday, June 13, 2011
June 15: Solidarity march across the Brooklyn Bridge
From the AFL-CIO:
Wednesday, June 15. Assemble beginning at 1 p.m. for a 2:30 p.m. march
Solidarity march across the Brooklyn Bridge
Enter Cadman Plaza Park by the Brooklyn War Memorial (middle of the park) and look for your delegation.
The address is 89 Cadman Plaza West, Brooklyn, N.Y. (A or C trains to High Street)
March for the Middle Class
As a showing of solidarity for working people across the nation facing attacks on their livelihood, NYC area working families will join together to march across the Brooklyn Bridge. Be there.
If you're in a union, remember to show your union colors proudly.
We still believe an attack on one is an attack on all. That is why a march to show that we stand united is so important.
The attacks on collective bargaining rights go too far and come at the expense of solving our jobs crisis and other real problems that are delaying the economic recovery. We cannot let the misinformation continue. This is about workers’ rights, fixing the economy and the future we leave for our children.
In Solidarity,
Manny Herrmann
Online Mobilization Coordinator, AFL-CIO
Wednesday, June 15. Assemble beginning at 1 p.m. for a 2:30 p.m. march
Solidarity march across the Brooklyn Bridge
Enter Cadman Plaza Park by the Brooklyn War Memorial (middle of the park) and look for your delegation.
The address is 89 Cadman Plaza West, Brooklyn, N.Y. (A or C trains to High Street)
March for the Middle Class
As a showing of solidarity for working people across the nation facing attacks on their livelihood, NYC area working families will join together to march across the Brooklyn Bridge. Be there.
If you're in a union, remember to show your union colors proudly.
We still believe an attack on one is an attack on all. That is why a march to show that we stand united is so important.
The attacks on collective bargaining rights go too far and come at the expense of solving our jobs crisis and other real problems that are delaying the economic recovery. We cannot let the misinformation continue. This is about workers’ rights, fixing the economy and the future we leave for our children.
In Solidarity,
Manny Herrmann
Online Mobilization Coordinator, AFL-CIO
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Quote of the Day
"Richard Nixon, if he were alive today, might take bittersweet satisfaction to know that he was not the last smart president to prolong unjustifiably a senseless, unwinnable war, at great cost in human life... He would probably also feel vindicated (and envious) that ALL the crimes he committed against me -- which forced his resignation facing impeachment -- are now legal."
-- Daniel Ellsberg, in an interview with CNN.
(from Taegan Goddard's Political Wire)
-- Daniel Ellsberg, in an interview with CNN.
(from Taegan Goddard's Political Wire)
June 15: Protest at Gov. Cuomo's NYC Office
Protest at Gov. Cuomo's NYC Office
Will be the day that rent regulations are set to expire:
Wednesday, June 15, 2011 - 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
633 3rd Avenue @ 41st Street, Manhattan
(Subway: 4, 5, 6, 7, or Shuttle to Grand Central)
Will be the day that rent regulations are set to expire:
Wednesday, June 15, 2011 - 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
633 3rd Avenue @ 41st Street, Manhattan
(Subway: 4, 5, 6, 7, or Shuttle to Grand Central)
June 25: BBQ to honor Leonard Peltier
BBQ for Native American
Prisoner of War Leonard Peltier
Saturday June 25, 1 pm-4 pm
(Rain Date: Sunday June 26, 2011)
Dias y Flores Community Garden
(13th Street between Avenues A & B)
Native American Flute by Franc Menusan
Potluck BBQ: To arrange what dish to bring for the potluck,
call MD (our food coordinator) after 7 pm: 347-731-9947
The three years following the occupation of Wounded Knee are often referred to as the Pine Ridge “Reign of Terror” because anyone associated with the American Indian Movement was targeted for violence. People’s homes were burned and their cars run off the road. People were struck by cars, shot in drive-by shootings and beaten. Between 1973 and 1976, over 70 traditionalists were murdered and scores more were assaulted. As the situation worsened, the traditionalists asked AIM to return to the reservation to offer protection. Leonard Peltier was among those who answered the call. He and a dozen others set
up camp on the Jumping Bull ranch at Pine Ridge, the home of a number of traditional families. In Native American history, June 26th is a day of anguish. On that date in 1975, two FBI agents in unmarked cars pursued a red pickup truck onto the Jumping Bull ranch. Gunshots rang out. While mothers fled the area with their children, other residents started to return fire.
A shootout erupted between the FBI agents and the residents. Law enforcement immediately mobilized. Within a couple hours, over 150 FBI swat team members, Bureau of Indian Affairs police and GOONs surrounded the ranch. Peltier helped lead a small group of teenagers out of the Jumping Bull area, barely escaping through the hail of bullets. He fled to Canada and was illegally extradited to the U.S. on Feb. 6, 1976 based on false information provided by the FBI.
This assault has not ended. For 35 years, Leonard Peltier, a Lakota/Anishinabe organizer of the American Indian Movement (AIM), has been in prison, falsely accused of killing the FBI agents. U.S. prosecutors have publicly admitted that they do not know who actually fired the shots that killed the agents, but they have refused to consider Peltier for parole or to turn
over thousands of pages of documents that could prove his innocence.
This event is honoring AIM warrior Leonard Peltier, so no alcohol or drugs are permitted.
NYC Leonard Peltier Defense-Offense Ctte • nyclpdoc@gmail.com • 718-325-4407
Who Cares - I Do: Spread the Word
"WHO CARES? I DO." IS A GRASSROOTS CAMPAIGN supported by individuals, organizations, businesses, policy makers, philanthropists, and many others who recognize how critical human services are to New York and all its communities — whether it's an after-school program, a senior center, shelter for the homeless, a food pantry, assistance for domestic violence victims, a mental health clinic, a home for foster children, or a day care center. Our mission is to make government accountable to the needs of all New Yorkers by honoring the commitments made to our communities.
WE MUST:
(1) let our elected leaders know that too many cuts to important services will hurt, not help, economic recovery
(2) illustrate that the work performed by nonprofit human services providers is essential to communities throughout New York
(3) demonstrate vast support for the continuation of critical programs in our communities
Who Cares - I Do: Spread the Word
WE MUST:
(1) let our elected leaders know that too many cuts to important services will hurt, not help, economic recovery
(2) illustrate that the work performed by nonprofit human services providers is essential to communities throughout New York
(3) demonstrate vast support for the continuation of critical programs in our communities
Who Cares - I Do: Spread the Word
Friday, June 10, 2011
June 13: Tell U.S. labor officials: Dump Israeli Bonds
MONDAY, JUNE 13, 5-7 PM
GOTHAM HALL
1356 BROADWAY (36 ST.)
Support Palestinian workers. Picket apartheid.
Tell U.S. labor officials: Dump Israel Bonds.
Israel Bonds are an investment in apartheid and U.S. unions have invested billions of U.S. workers; retirement and pension dollars in Israeli apartheid bonds. Palestinian workers and labor unions, facing siege, invasion, and occupation, have called upon the international labor movement to divest from Israel Bonds. Tell labor officials Stuart Applebaum and Denis Hughes to stop investing in apartheid.
For more info.: www.laborforpalestine.net or 718-228-8636
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
No Taxes on the rich is about the system not the individuals
My friend Moshe Rothenberg recently posted this on Facebook:
Why would millionaires tax themselves when they hold the controls of power? Virtually every Senator in Congress is at least a millionaire. This system has never been rational; why would they start now? Because Facebook exists? I don't think so.I'm not sure where this concern about taxation comes from and I'm not sure what Facebook has to do with it, but I think the argument that because Congress is made up of a bunch of millionaires, they wouldn't tax themselves, largely oversimplifies the question. It seems to me that it focuses the argument on the characteristics of the individuals rather than the characteristics of the system. I think both Moshe & I would agree that the problem is the system, capitalism. I don't know how many members of Congress are in fact millionaires but I do know that they are all bought and paid for by the corporate oligarchy ("ruling class" if you prefer). As the cost of political campaigns escalates, the politicians are more and more subjected to that small minority that owns and controls the source of political financing the corporate owners. Without suggesting that the U.S. has ever been a democracy, what used to be considered bribery and resulted in jail terms - with the consent of the Supreme Court - is now labelled campaign contributions and is perfectly legal. I think this is one of a number of reasons capitalism & democracy are essentially incompatible.
Moshe
Saturday, June 04, 2011
Geronimo Pratt, 1947-2011
Black Panther leader Geronimo Pratt, a symbol of the desperate and illegal measures utilized by the U.S. government and the FBI to destroy the Black liberation movement, died on June 2 in a Tanzanian village. He was 63. The top leaders of the movement - Malcolm X, Martin Luther King & Fred Hampton - were assassinated; the activists just below that level were falsely imprisoned. After spending 27 years in prison for a Santa Monica, Calif murder in he did not commit, in 1997 Pratt's conviction was overturned on the grounds of prosecutorial misconduct. In 2000 he received $4.5 million from the federal and local governments for wrongful imprisonment. Although there were a number of reasons that California Superior Court Judge Everett Dickey vacated the conviction, the main one was that the LAPD, the FBI and the prosecutors failed to inform the defense that their star witness was a government informant. A juror told the NYT:
[
If we had known about Butler's [the government's eye-witness] background, there's no way Pratt would have been convicted.Geronimo Pratt spent most of his post-prison life in Imbaseni, a Tanzanian village, following the same ideals that had drawn him to the Panthers in the first place. Among other things he helped install an irrigation system .
[
"Bridesmaids" A review
The boys have had their chances at least since Animal House and more recently in Judd Apatow's Hangover and Knocked Up (Apatow, by the way, is also a producer of Bridesmaids). Now thanks to SNL's Kristen Wiig, the girls get theirs. But because of Wiig's particular comedic sensibility, Bridesmaids is much more than the usual Apatow film. The boy's films are generally about a bunch of adult teenagers trying desperately not to grow up. But Bridesmaids is about a bunch of women trying to come to terms with grown-up life. The wedding of Annie's (Wiig) best friend Pauline ( Maya Rudolph) is just the mechanism with which this happens, and it's hilariously funny. I really loved Melissa McCarthy (fourth from the left in the photo), who often gets more laughs and is more real than any of the other characters (as often happened on The Gilmore Girls)
June 8: SIT-IN @ THE LGBT CENTER
SIT-IN @ THE LGBT CENTER
June 8 at 6:00pm
Queers Against Israeli Apartheid was supposed to have our meeting at the Center at that time... but since the Center won't stand up for us, we have to SIT IN!
And this Sunday 6/5, march with NYC Queers Against Israeli Apartheid in Queens Pride!
Meet at 11:30am at 37th Ave between 75th and 85th Sts.
(For info: NoPrideInOccupation@gmail.com, or find us on Facebook.)
Please note this important message - and for an excellent historical run-down on the whole Center mishegoss, go to and type Pauline Park into the search box - Pauline's excellent chronology is there. And come on Sunday! And come on Wednesday! Love, Brad
The Center has done it again. After a brief flirtation with openness, the NYC LGBT Center has capitulated to right-wing pressure – and shut down progressive queer political organizing again.
Last week, the Center responded to community demands that the Center remain open to queers, by finally granted meeting space to Queers Against Israeli Apartheid. But on Thursday, after a new round of threats and bullying from the right, the Center cancelled all future QAIA meetings. In short, the Center has said that it won't stand up for queers' right to organize if that organizing becomes “controversial.†(Read statements from the Center and QAIA here.)
Please call and/or e-mail Center director Glennda Testone and board president Mario Palumbo (again!) Tell them they can't avoid controversy just by slamming the door on queer activists. You can email from here:
And this Sunday 6/5, march with NYC Queers Against Israeli Apartheid
in Queens Pride!
Meet at 11:30am at 37th Ave between 75th and 85th Sts.
For info: NoPrideInOccupation@gmail.com, or find us on Facebook.
June 8 at 6:00pm
Queers Against Israeli Apartheid was supposed to have our meeting at the Center at that time... but since the Center won't stand up for us, we have to SIT IN!
And this Sunday 6/5, march with NYC Queers Against Israeli Apartheid in Queens Pride!
Meet at 11:30am at 37th Ave between 75th and 85th Sts.
(For info: NoPrideInOccupation@gmail.com, or find us on Facebook.)
Please note this important message - and for an excellent historical run-down on the whole Center mishegoss, go to and type Pauline Park into the search box - Pauline's excellent chronology is there. And come on Sunday! And come on Wednesday! Love, Brad
The Center has done it again. After a brief flirtation with openness, the NYC LGBT Center has capitulated to right-wing pressure – and shut down progressive queer political organizing again.
Last week, the Center responded to community demands that the Center remain open to queers, by finally granted meeting space to Queers Against Israeli Apartheid. But on Thursday, after a new round of threats and bullying from the right, the Center cancelled all future QAIA meetings. In short, the Center has said that it won't stand up for queers' right to organize if that organizing becomes “controversial.†(Read statements from the Center and QAIA here.)
Please call and/or e-mail Center director Glennda Testone and board president Mario Palumbo (again!) Tell them they can't avoid controversy just by slamming the door on queer activists. You can email from here:
And this Sunday 6/5, march with NYC Queers Against Israeli Apartheid
in Queens Pride!
Meet at 11:30am at 37th Ave between 75th and 85th Sts.
For info: NoPrideInOccupation@gmail.com, or find us on Facebook.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Hispanic Population, Rising Faster Than Anticipated, A 'Huge Weapon' For Obama,"
"Hispanic Population, Rising Faster Than Anticipated, A 'Huge Weapon' For Obama," Sam Stein reports for the Huffington Post. And you were wondering why the Republican's top priority is interfering with the voting rights of poor people and people of color. You remember the bogus attack on ACORN (with which the stupid Democrats went along). They are also trying to pass laws that will require separate identification in order to vote. In other words it's the new Republican "Southern Strategy." This is only the beginning of massive population changes in the U.S. voting population, none of which will bode well for the Republicans.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/31/hispanic-population-rising-faster-than-anticipated_n_869209.html?ncid=webmail
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/31/hispanic-population-rising-faster-than-anticipated_n_869209.html?ncid=webmail
Obama to Israel: Take whatever you want - Opinion - Al Jazeera English
Obama to Israel: Take whatever you want - Opinion - Al Jazeera English
As Obama's campaign for re-election moves forward, as in 2008, the "Jewish vote" becomes more & more important. But after all why wouldn't an American president back Israeli expansionism - in the name of security - since it almost perfectly mirrors the U.S. genocide against the indigenous people here in order to steal their land & resources.
As Obama's campaign for re-election moves forward, as in 2008, the "Jewish vote" becomes more & more important. But after all why wouldn't an American president back Israeli expansionism - in the name of security - since it almost perfectly mirrors the U.S. genocide against the indigenous people here in order to steal their land & resources.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
June 6th: Marriage Equality Monday!
Marriage Equality Monday!
Monday, June 6, 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Outside Marty Golden's Office
7408 Fifth Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
Show your support for marriage equality on Monday, June 6, in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Rally outside of State Senator Marty Golden's office.
Not only does Senator Golden vehemently oppose marriage equality, he now wants to stop New York State from recognizing same-sex marriages that were performed outside of New York.
Golden boldly told reporters that the people in his district "don't give a rat's ass about social issues." If his constituents "don't give a rat's ass about social issues," why is he acting like such a horse's ass about marriage equality?
Come down and let him know how you feel!!
Together we can secure the right for ALL New Yorkers to enter into legally recognized civil marriages.
Co-Sponsored by...
Bay Ridge Democrats
Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats
Lambda Independent Democrats
New Kings Democrats
(list in formation)
Friday, May 27, 2011
May 27, 5-7PM: Protest the acquittal of two NYC police officers for rape
PROTEST THE ACQUITTAL OF TWO NEW YORK CITY POLICE OFFICERS FOR RAPE
Friday May 27, 5-7pm
In front of the Manhattan Criminal Court building at 100 Centre St.
(Directions:
Take the No. 4 or 5 train to the Brooklyn Bridge Station; the C, N, R, 6 train to Canal Street; the 1 train to Franklin Street.
Take the 1, 6 or 15 bus line.)
On Thursday May 26, New York police officers Kenneth Moreno and Franklin Mata were found not guilty of charges that Moreno raped a woman in her apartment while Mata kept guard, despite the fact that the amount of evidence against the officers in this case was overwhelming. Instead, the jury convicted both officers of official misconduct for entering the woman’s apartment, but found them not guilty of all other charges, including burglary and falsifying business records. This despite the fact that one of the officers had been recorded on tape admitting to using a condom when having sex with the woman who made the accusation.
The cornerstone of the defense required that the woman was too drunk to have a credible account of the incident, but sober enough to consent to sex.
Join the protest. Because raping a drunk women while on patrol is more than “official misconduct”. Because calling 911 should not be an invitation to be raped. Because NO behavior, including being drunk, is an invitation to be raped. Because rapists do not deserve the protection of our tax-funded police department and city officials. Because we recognize this incident as part of the NYPD's long, horrific history of violence - sexual and otherwise - often and disproportionately against people of color. Because the people of NYC will not accept victim-blaming, cronyism, and a culture of silence that allows rapists to roam free, without consequence.
Read more about the case here:
and here:
Direct questions about the protest to Lori@feministing.com,
heidivanderlee@gmail.com or laveye@gmail.com
Stop Police Brutality, Repression and the Criminalization of a Generation
No More Stolen Lives!
Friday May 27, 5-7pm
In front of the Manhattan Criminal Court building at 100 Centre St.
(Directions:
Take the No. 4 or 5 train to the Brooklyn Bridge Station; the C, N, R, 6 train to Canal Street; the 1 train to Franklin Street.
Take the 1, 6 or 15 bus line.)
On Thursday May 26, New York police officers Kenneth Moreno and Franklin Mata were found not guilty of charges that Moreno raped a woman in her apartment while Mata kept guard, despite the fact that the amount of evidence against the officers in this case was overwhelming. Instead, the jury convicted both officers of official misconduct for entering the woman’s apartment, but found them not guilty of all other charges, including burglary and falsifying business records. This despite the fact that one of the officers had been recorded on tape admitting to using a condom when having sex with the woman who made the accusation.
The cornerstone of the defense required that the woman was too drunk to have a credible account of the incident, but sober enough to consent to sex.
Join the protest. Because raping a drunk women while on patrol is more than “official misconduct”. Because calling 911 should not be an invitation to be raped. Because NO behavior, including being drunk, is an invitation to be raped. Because rapists do not deserve the protection of our tax-funded police department and city officials. Because we recognize this incident as part of the NYPD's long, horrific history of violence - sexual and otherwise - often and disproportionately against people of color. Because the people of NYC will not accept victim-blaming, cronyism, and a culture of silence that allows rapists to roam free, without consequence.
Read more about the case here:
and here:
Direct questions about the protest to Lori@feministing.com,
heidivanderlee@gmail.com or laveye@gmail.com
Stop Police Brutality, Repression and the Criminalization of a Generation
No More Stolen Lives!
Gil Scott-Heron, April 1, 1949 - May 27, 2011
The sound of the next stage of the revolution will be missing one of its great voices & will definitely not be televised.
The Daily Swarm - RIP Gil Scott-Heron...
The Daily Swarm - RIP Gil Scott-Heron...
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Mavi Marmara Memorial Exhibit
May 31 – June 3, 2011.
Mavi Marmara Memorial Exhibit
Alwan for the Arts,
16 Beaver Street,
Opening
May 31, 7:00 p.m.
(The exhibit will remain on display until Friday, June 3rd, 6 PM.)
Join in commemorating nine peace activists (Turkish citizens, including Furkan Dogan, also an American citizen) who were killed aboard the Mavi Marmara by Israeli soldiers when they sailed on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla on May 31, 2010. The Mavi Marmara Memorial will mark the one-year anniversary of the attack on the flotilla. Our common goals are peace, prosperity, and equal opportunities in the Middle East and everywhere across the globe.
Briefly Speaking:
Alborz Ghandehari, a filmmaker, actor, director, writer, and doctoral candidate at UC San Diego.
Jane Hirschmann, a member of Jews Say No! in NYC and one of the organizers of the US Boat to Gaza.
Remi Kanazi, a Palestinian-American poet and activist.
Kristofer Petersen-Overton, a doctoral student in political science at the CUNY Graduate Center and an adjunct lecturer at Brooklyn College, where he teaches Middle East politics. His job was briefly eliminated when right-wing figures labeled him unqualified, but it was quickly restored after a firestorm of protest.
Exhibit curated by Hulya Kartal, on behalf of Brooklyn For Peace.
On Exhibit:
Documentary – Alborz Ghandehari's film "Steel Dove: Stories of Art and Occupation” is the culmination of an undergraduate research project exploring the work of Palestinian artists.
Drawing – Necdet Yilmaz studied art in Istanbul. His illustrations have won awards in Turkey and around the world, and has also been exhibited in NY, London, Italy, Brazil, Cyprus, Pakistan, and Korea
Poem – Nihal Ozlem Kucukdonmez is a Turkish poet. She resides in Istanbul.
Posters – Dogan Arslan is an artist, designer and educator. He spends his time between Turkey and New York.
Sculptures – Marcia Bernstein has had solo shows in many venues and has been selected for large juried exhibits. She exhibits frequently with the National Association of Women Artists, the American Society of Contemporary Artists, Women in the Arts, and Art from Detritus.
Quilt – Hulya Kartal, who was raised in Istanbul and now lives in Brooklyn, is president of a non-profit organization to empower women.
(SUBWAY: 4/5 to Bowling Green;
J/M/Z to Broad St.;
R/W to Whitehall St.;
1 to Rector St. or South Ferry;
2/3 to Wall St.; A/C to Broadway-Nassau)
Questions? E-mail Memorial@brooklynpeace.org or 718-624-5921
www.alwanforthearts.org
Brooklyn For Peace www.brooklynpeace.org
Mavi Marmara Memorial Exhibit
Alwan for the Arts,
16 Beaver Street,
Opening
May 31, 7:00 p.m.
(The exhibit will remain on display until Friday, June 3rd, 6 PM.)
Join in commemorating nine peace activists (Turkish citizens, including Furkan Dogan, also an American citizen) who were killed aboard the Mavi Marmara by Israeli soldiers when they sailed on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla on May 31, 2010. The Mavi Marmara Memorial will mark the one-year anniversary of the attack on the flotilla. Our common goals are peace, prosperity, and equal opportunities in the Middle East and everywhere across the globe.
Briefly Speaking:
Alborz Ghandehari, a filmmaker, actor, director, writer, and doctoral candidate at UC San Diego.
Jane Hirschmann, a member of Jews Say No! in NYC and one of the organizers of the US Boat to Gaza.
Remi Kanazi, a Palestinian-American poet and activist.
Kristofer Petersen-Overton, a doctoral student in political science at the CUNY Graduate Center and an adjunct lecturer at Brooklyn College, where he teaches Middle East politics. His job was briefly eliminated when right-wing figures labeled him unqualified, but it was quickly restored after a firestorm of protest.
Exhibit curated by Hulya Kartal, on behalf of Brooklyn For Peace.
On Exhibit:
Documentary – Alborz Ghandehari's film "Steel Dove: Stories of Art and Occupation” is the culmination of an undergraduate research project exploring the work of Palestinian artists.
Drawing – Necdet Yilmaz studied art in Istanbul. His illustrations have won awards in Turkey and around the world, and has also been exhibited in NY, London, Italy, Brazil, Cyprus, Pakistan, and Korea
Poem – Nihal Ozlem Kucukdonmez is a Turkish poet. She resides in Istanbul.
Posters – Dogan Arslan is an artist, designer and educator. He spends his time between Turkey and New York.
Sculptures – Marcia Bernstein has had solo shows in many venues and has been selected for large juried exhibits. She exhibits frequently with the National Association of Women Artists, the American Society of Contemporary Artists, Women in the Arts, and Art from Detritus.
Quilt – Hulya Kartal, who was raised in Istanbul and now lives in Brooklyn, is president of a non-profit organization to empower women.
(SUBWAY: 4/5 to Bowling Green;
J/M/Z to Broad St.;
R/W to Whitehall St.;
1 to Rector St. or South Ferry;
2/3 to Wall St.; A/C to Broadway-Nassau)
Questions? E-mail Memorial@brooklynpeace.org or 718-624-5921
www.alwanforthearts.org
Brooklyn For Peace www.brooklynpeace.org
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Issa Responds to Public Outcry over Baker Departure, Questions FCC
WASHINGTON -- House Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski questioning the conduct of outgoing Commissioner Meredith Attwell Baker, who announced last week she would be leaving the agency to become a lobbyist for Comcast-NBC. Issa’s letter suggested that the FCC’s approval of the Comcast-NBC merger was so closely timed to Baker’s announcement that public trust in the integrity of the Commission had been damaged.
Since Baker’s announcement, Free Press and CREDO Action have collected more than 130,000 letters seeking a congressional investigation into Baker’s departure and apparent conflict of interest.
Issa Responds to Public Outcry over Baker Departure, Questions FCC
Sunday, May 22, 2011
May 27 & 28th: “Rhythm in the Kitchen” Music Festival
The Hell’s Kitchen Cultural Center, Inc.212.765.8446
Proudly Announces
The Fifth Annual
“Rhythm in the Kitchen”
Music Festival
Friday, May 27th, Saturday, May 28th 2011
@ The Church for All Nations
417 West 57th Street
(between. 9th and 10th Avenue)
www.cfan.net
NYC
$15 General Admission
$12 Seniors/Students
$25 Festival Pass
Friday, May 27th
7 PM – Neal Kirkwood Trio: Lindsey Horner (bass); Sunny Jain, (drums); Neal Kirkwood, (piano).
8 PM – Francois Grillot’s Contraband: Catherine Sikora (tenor sax); Roy Campbell, (trumpet); Anders Nilsson, (guitar); Daniel Levin, (cello); Jay Rosen, (drums); Francois Grillot, (bass).
9 PM – Elise Wood-Hicks Trio: Tony Hewitt, (voice); Marvin Horne, (guitar); Elise Wood-Hicks, (flute, alto flute)
10 PM – Jay Rosen Trio: Michael Marcus, (clarinet); Francois Grillot, (bass); Jay Rosen, (drums).
11 PM – Ellery Eskelin Trio: Drew Gress, (bass); Gerald Cleaver, (drums); Ellery Eskelin, (tenor sax).
Saturday, May 28th
7 PM – Chris Chalfant Tree-Oh! Joe Giardullo, (soprano sax), Ken Yamazaki,(drums/percussion); Chris Chalfant, (piano).
8 PM – Tom Hamilton: “Off-Hour Wait State.” Bruce Arnold, (lap steel guitar), Brian Groder, (trumpet), Ras Moshe, (tenor sax), Al Margolis, (objects); Ralph Samuelson, (shakuhachi); Tom Hamilton, (electronic soundscape).
9 PM – Dick Griffin Duo: Warren Smith, (percussion); Dick Griffin, (trombone, piano, voice).
10 PM – William Hooker & JD Parran Duo: JD Parran, (reeds); William Hooker, (drums).
11 PM – Michael Marcus Duet: Charlie Taylor, (percussion); Michael Marcus, (clarinets).
June 14, 4:30PM: DC37 Rally @ City Hall
Stand Up - Let Your Voice Be HeardTuesday, June 14, 4:30 pm
at City Hall
(Broadway & Barclay Sts)
Save Jobs
Stop the layoffs
Save Civil Service
Stop the Service Cuts in
Our Communities
Stop Contracting Out and Privatizing
On Tuesday, June 14 beginning at 4:30 p.m., DC 37 plans to rock City Hall with its biggest demonstration ever.
On June 14, DC 37 members will be joined by allies to stand up for our rights and economic needs, fight back against the fiscal assault on our public schools and public health care, and raise our voices against the drive to crush public employees' rights from coast to coast.
DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts called on members to “rally at City Hall...to protest like our basic democratic rights are at stake – because they are. The right-wing effort to destroy union rights is a cancer that will spread unless we stop it.”
“At City Hall June 14 we will stand up for our families and our communities. Bring your co-workers, your families, your neighbors and everyone you can from every community and religious organization you are part of," Ms Roberts urged. “They will be proud to march with us against the city's immoral effort to sell off our public health care system, cripple public education and shred the public services that prevent child abuse and keep rats from running wild in New York City."
DC 37 and its allies will also stand in solidarity to protect the libraries where so many immigrants learn English, where so many of the unemployed use free computers to search for jobs, and where so many children - especially the city's record 43,000 homeless children - do their homework. They will speak out for the public parks and pools, the only free recreation available for working families.
DC 37’s giant fightback rally June 14 will also shout NO to the mayor's continuing effort to contract out jobs, freeze pay, cut benefits and wipe out public services for the communities we live in.
Mayor Bloomberg has squandered taxpayer money by throwing away three-quarters of a billion dollars on the CityTime payroll project (where the contractor is also accused of stealing $80 million from the city), failing to collect business taxes that are owed to the city, and continuing to waste some $10 billion on 18,000 private contracts for work city employees could perform. If his administration can waste that kind of money, then the Mayor can afford to cancel the service cuts and layoffs, stop the attacks on public employee benefits and get real about raises for dedicated, honest workers.
Friday, May 20, 2011
May 21: New York City Labor Chorus Spring Concert
In case they have the date wrong this is just a reminder about the New York City Labor Chorus's Spring Concert also scheduled for Sat., May 21, 2011
the Peoples' Voice Café
40 E. 35th St.,
(between Park & Madison)
8:00 pm;
doors open at 7:30
Suggested contribution $15;
pay what you can.
www.peoplesvoicecafe.org
Click here for a flyer.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Quote of the day
From an AlterNet comment from alan 8:
"This President DID GET ELECTED because the American majority thought he
was really aware of the critical issues our minorities and lower income
citizens are facing! We were so wrong!" (from a comment by Kathy Grinslade @ AlterNet)
alan 8 responds to Grinslade:
"No, you were right! He WAS aware! He SHOWED the people he was aware. He "Clintoned" you!
"Clin·ton verb:
1. To show people you understand a problem with the intent to mislead them that you're actually going to do anything to solve it. [or you make it worse].
"Clinton said 'I feel your pain!', talking about economic hardship in the US. And the people ate it up! Not only did Clinton not do anything about their economic hardship, he made it worse. He eliminated welfare (one of the Republican goals), and he passed NAFTA, which drained (and continues to drain) US jobs to low-wage countries."
"This President DID GET ELECTED because the American majority thought he
was really aware of the critical issues our minorities and lower income
citizens are facing! We were so wrong!" (from a comment by Kathy Grinslade @ AlterNet)
alan 8 responds to Grinslade:
"No, you were right! He WAS aware! He SHOWED the people he was aware. He "Clintoned" you!
"Clin·ton verb:
1. To show people you understand a problem with the intent to mislead them that you're actually going to do anything to solve it. [or you make it worse].
"Clinton said 'I feel your pain!', talking about economic hardship in the US. And the people ate it up! Not only did Clinton not do anything about their economic hardship, he made it worse. He eliminated welfare (one of the Republican goals), and he passed NAFTA, which drained (and continues to drain) US jobs to low-wage countries."
Monday, May 16, 2011
IMF chief denied bail in sex case (Al Jazeera English)
IMF chief denied bail in sex case
(Al Jazeera English)
Dominique Strauss-Kahn is being held without bail at least until his next court appearance on Friday.
I have heard some people suggest that he is being targeted because he's a socialist. It would seem to me if he's being targeted at all it's because he was planning to run against Nicolas Sarkozy in the next French presidential election and seemingly had a chance of winning. But it should also be said that just because someone is targeted that doesn't preclude the possibility (as in the case of Julian Assange) that he is guilty of the crimes with which he's charged. I would also ask the question: what is a Socialist doing as head of one of capitalism and imperialism's key institutions, the IMF. One could also ask why a Socialist would travel around the world in the luxury that Strauss-Kahn seems to do. I know politically France is a peculiar country, but even there "socialist" must mean something or maybe not.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Quote of the day
"Someone asked [Bill Moyers] why I invited Jon Stewart to be the first guest on the Journal's premiere in 2007. 'Because Mark Twain isn't a available,' I answered."
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Demand that Congress investigate Baker’s conflict of interest.
Say No! to the FCC/Comcast merger
FCC Commissioner Meredith Attwell Baker is leaving the FCC to become a lobbyist for Comcast – just four months after she voted to approve the Comcast-NBC merger.
Help us close the revolving door. Demand that Congress investigate Baker’s conflict of interest.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Today: Peace Teach-in
May 12, 4PM:
Peace Teach-In
Assembly Site: New York Vietnam Veterans Memorial
(55 Water nr. Coenties Slip & South St.0
(R (not N!) to Whitehall St.-South Ferry;
#1 to South Ferry/Whitehall-South Ferry;
J (not M!) to Broad St. (south exit to Exchange Pl.);
#2, 3 to Wall St. (at William);
M5 bus via Broadway;
M15 bus via 2nd Av., Allen St. & Water St.;
M20 via 7th Av. So., Varick St. & WFC.)
Peace Teach-In
Assembly Site: New York Vietnam Veterans Memorial
(55 Water nr. Coenties Slip & South St.0
(R (not N!) to Whitehall St.-South Ferry;
#1 to South Ferry/Whitehall-South Ferry;
J (not M!) to Broad St. (south exit to Exchange Pl.);
#2, 3 to Wall St. (at William);
M5 bus via Broadway;
M15 bus via 2nd Av., Allen St. & Water St.;
M20 via 7th Av. So., Varick St. & WFC.)
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
U.S. dismayed as India rejects arms deal - Opinion - Al Jazeera English
U.S. dismayed as India rejects arms deal - Opinion by Shashi Tharoor - Al Jazeera English
Quelle surprise!
India's recent decision not to buy $10bn worth of US warplanes has irritated some politicians and the defence industry.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Monday, May 09, 2011
May 27 & 28th: “Rhythm in the Kitchen” Music Festival
The Hell’s Kitchen Cultural Center, Inc.
Proudly Announces
The Fifth Annual
“Rhythm in the Kitchen” Music Festival
Friday, May 27th & Saturday, May 28th
@ The Church for All Nations
417 West 57th Street
(between. 9th and 10th Avenue)
www.cfan.net
212.333.5583
(www.hkculturalcenter.org,
212.765.8446)
$15 General Admission
$12 Seniors/Students
$25 Festival Pass
Friday, May 27th
7 PM – Neal Kirkwood Trio: Lindsey Horner (bass); Sunny Jain, (drums); Neal Kirkwood, (piano).
8 PM – Francois Grillot’s Contraband: Catherine Sikora (tenor sax); Roy Campbell, (trumpet); Anders Nilsson, (guitar); Daniel Levin, (cello); Jay Rosen, (drums); Francois Grillot, (bass).
9 PM – Elise Wood-Hicks Trio: Tony Hewitt, (voice); Marvin Horne, (guitar); Elise Wood-Hicks, (flute, alto flute)
10 PM – Jay Rosen Trio: Michael Marcus, (clarinet); Francois Grillot, (bass); Jay Rosen, (drums).
11 PM – Ellery Eskelin Trio: Drew Gress, (bass); Gerald Cleaver, (drums); Ellery Eskelin, (tenor sax).
Saturday, May 28th
7 PM – Chris Chalfant Tree-Oh! Joe Giardullo, (soprano sax), Ken Yamazaki,(drums/percussion); Chris Chalfant, (piano).
8 PM – Tom Hamilton: “Off-Hour Wait State.” Bruce Arnold, (lap steel guitar), Brian Groder, (trumpet), Ras Moshe, (tenor sax), Al Margolis, (objects); Ralph Samuelson, (shakuhachi); Tom Hamilton, (electronic soundscape).
9 PM – Dick Griffin Duo: Warren Smith, (percussion); Dick Griffin, (trombone, piano, voice).
10 PM – William Hooker & JD Parran Duo: JD Parran, (reeds); William Hooker, (drums).
11 PM – Michael Marcus Duet: Charlie Taylor, (percussion); Michael Marcus, (clarinets).
Torchwood/Doctor Who
Every day I try to learn something new. Today's discovery: Torchwood is an anagram of Doctor Who.
For anyone who doesn't know, Torchwood is a spin-off of Doctor Who.
For anyone who doesn't know, Torchwood is a spin-off of Doctor Who.
Sunday, May 08, 2011
Relics of the Past on the Sunday Morning shows
Today the Sunday morning shows turned over a few rocks & found some antiques to display in the aftermath of the killing of Osama bin Laden. Fox News Sunday exhumed former VP Dick Cheney, Christine Amanpour on ABC turned up former Secy of State Condoleezza Rice, Face the Nation on CBS brought back former Sec'y of Defense Donald Rumsfeld & to top it all off returning for a moment from well-deserved oblivion former NYC Mayor (before much to NYC's relief he became America's mayor) Rudolph Giuliani appeared on NBC's Meet the Press. The one thing each of these guests have in common is the word "former" before their name. They are all relics of the Bush era. Of course, the other thing they have in common is that they have nothing new to add to our knowledge of what just happened in Pakistan, but self-justification to spout, lots of 'splainin to do. If the morning shows weren't themselves relics they would have chosen to look to the future instead of regurgitating the past.
Friday, May 06, 2011
Tony Kushner likely to be awarded CUNY honorary degree despite Zionist diatribe
C.U.N.Y. proposed awarding an honorary degree to one of America's best playwrights, Tony Kushner. An "impassioned speech" by one Zionist trustee, Jeffrey S. Weisenfeld, sidetracked the award until the Trustees began to think clearly. Board Chair Beno Schmidt said the decision not to award the degree to Kushner was "a mistake of principle and not merely policy." The Zionist cabal in the U.S. never stops trying to impose its version of reality on everyone else. This time it didn't work, but all too often it does.
Is Obama taking to many victory laps?
Someone needs to tell Obama to shut up. He's taken enough victory laps, there is a point at which what seems to work to his political advantage will provoke more response than we are prepared for. Any time now I expect him to make a speech under a "Mission Accomplished" banner. Bush was wrong on May 1st 2003 and Obama is wrong today. I know he wants to get re-elected, but that won't happen if his victory laps further anger Al Qaida and they attack. Clearly they will spew their hate whatever Obama does, but I think he needs to take a few steps back.
Thursday, May 05, 2011
Obama Admin to Propose Lower Corporate Tax Rate
According to this morning's (Thurs. 5/5) Democracy Now!
Obama Admin to Propose Lower Corporate Tax Rate
Just what an economy struggling with heavy deficits needs - a lower corporate tax rate - but then Obama is running for re-election. This only works in the fantasyland in which Obama & Geithner live, in which Republicans will follow the president's lead & not undercut him. I wonder what our good friend, Rep. Michael Grimm (R-SI), will have to say about the American taxpayer not being an ATM for corporate welfare. But I guess Mr. Grimm believes in fairy tales.
Obama Admin to Propose Lower Corporate Tax Rate
Just what an economy struggling with heavy deficits needs - a lower corporate tax rate - but then Obama is running for re-election. This only works in the fantasyland in which Obama & Geithner live, in which Republicans will follow the president's lead & not undercut him. I wonder what our good friend, Rep. Michael Grimm (R-SI), will have to say about the American taxpayer not being an ATM for corporate welfare. But I guess Mr. Grimm believes in fairy tales.
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
Quote of the day
"The American taxpayer is not an ATM for ObamaCare."
---Rep. Michael Grimm (R-SI)
But he doesn't seem to have any objection when the American tax payer is an ATM for Wall Street & the oil companies. I wonder whose paying his bills.
---Rep. Michael Grimm (R-SI)
But he doesn't seem to have any objection when the American tax payer is an ATM for Wall Street & the oil companies. I wonder whose paying his bills.
Osama's strategy vs. the U.S. was economic not military
This is a very interesting article from the Washington Post by Ezra Klein on Osama's real strategy vs. the U.S. & to what extent he succeeded. Klein writes:
Klein concludes by writing: "But then, we can learn from our mistakes. He [Osama] can’t." If anyone truly believes that we will ever learn anything from our mistakes, I have a sure-fire war to sell you.
For bin Laden, in other words, success was not to be measured in body counts. It was to be measured in deficits, in borrowing costs, in investments we weren’t able to make in our country’s continued economic strength. And by those measures, bin Laden landed a lot of blows.It seems clear that Osama couldn't have succeeded even to the extent that he did w/o the collaboration of the rapacious banksters on Wall Street & the utter stupidity of the U.S. government in the aftermath of 9/11, the attack on the World Trade Center was surely the catalyst for much that followed. Although when you set historical events in motion - as Osama did on 9/11 - it is impossible to predict with any certainty what will happen (I doubt that anyone in Al-Quaida could have imagined that the U.S. would use 9/11 as an excuse to invade & occupy Iraq, a mission that the Neo-Cons had been planning for 10 years prior to 9/11), it is nevertheless true, as Klein quotes Linda Blimes & Joseph Stiglitz as stating that invasion cost $3 trillion and as he says, we have spent another $2 trillion in Afghanistan & more on domestic anti-terror activity. He also points out that although the latest capitalist crisis wasn't a direct result of 9/11, the behavior of the economic regulators in response to it, was in part a response to the attack on the World Trade Center.
Klein concludes by writing: "But then, we can learn from our mistakes. He [Osama] can’t." If anyone truly believes that we will ever learn anything from our mistakes, I have a sure-fire war to sell you.
Sunday, May 01, 2011
May Day - Cuba
May Day 2011 in Cuba
This May Day, International Workers Day, hundreds of thousands of young people in the traditional parade march organized every year millions of men and women in the Plaza de la Revolucion "Jose Marti. Unit, productivity and efficiency!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
May Day: Union Sq. to Foley Sq.
MAY 1st WHERE? UNION SQUARE!
GATHER AT 12:00 NOON AT UNION SQUARE
(14th St. & Broadway)
MARCH TO FOLEY SQUARE FOR CLOSING UNITY RALLY
The New York City Labor Chorus will perform @ Foley Square (1st time since return from Cuba)
GATHER AT 12:00 NOON AT UNION SQUARE
(14th St. & Broadway)
MARCH TO FOLEY SQUARE FOR CLOSING UNITY RALLY
The New York City Labor Chorus will perform @ Foley Square (1st time since return from Cuba)
May 12: Bring Wisconsin to New York - Protest on Wall Street
Enough is Enough.
On Thursday May 12, 2011 we’ll be bringing some of that spirit of Wisconsin to Wall Street when thousands of people, from all walks of life, converge in a unique and inspiring action in the heart of the financial world — Wall Street.
Join us — because it's time to make the Big Banks and Millionaires pay!
The Big Banks crashed our economy, destroying jobs, foreclosing on millions of homes and wrecking cities and states budgets across the country. After trillions in taxpayer funded bailouts, Wall Street is making billions in profits and giving away record bonuses to CEOs. But our communities are still hurting. Here in New York City, tens of thousands have lost their homes and their jobs. Now, Billionaire Mayor Mike Bloomberg is proposing devastating budget cuts as the only solution to the economic crisis that Wall Street caused. Enough is Enough.
Starting at 4:00 PM, orientations will begin in public assembly sites throughout Lower Manhattan. Each one will have a different theme: housing, jobs, education, children/youth, peace, human services, and more. These will be followed by a march into the Financial District where we will stage the city’s largest teach-in and educate Wall Street and all New Yorkers on what it will take to rebuild our economy. We will close by discussing our next steps to insure that Mayor Bloomberg makes a commitment to a strong and fair economy for all.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Orlando Bosch - the very definition of "terrorist" - is dead
One of he true monsters of the 20th Century is dead. Orlando Bosch died at 84 in Miami on Wednesday. According to the NYT, the U.S. Department of Justice said of him that he had "repeatedly expressed and demonstrated a willingness to cause indiscriminate injury and death." That's the true definition of a "terrorist." When we read about the people who shoot classmates at schools and blow up hospitals, they are the symbolic children of Orlando Bosch. Although he was eventually cleared of responsibility for the 1976 bombing of a Cuban airliner that killed 73 people, a CIA report, according to the NYT, quoted his accused co-conspirator, Luis Posada Carriles, as saying, "We are going to hit a Cuban airplane" and "Orlando has the details." The Times also cited an FBI report that noted a Venezuelan informant who said one of the bombers phoned Bosch with the message, "A bus with 73 dogs went off a cliff and all got killed." The NYT also reports that "In recommending in 1989 that he be deported, the justice Department said he had committed 30 acts of sabotage in the United States, Puerto Rico, Panama and Cuba from 1961 through 1968."
Thursday, April 28, 2011
FAIR's 25th Anniversary Celebration Live Online! Tonight
If unlike me, you don't have a meeting this evening, here's a real alternative to TV:
Watch FAIR's 25th Anniversary Celebration Live Online! April 28th at 7pm.
FAIR's 25th Anniversary event in New York City is sold out--but you can watch the live Free Speech TV webstream on FAIR's website on Thursday, April 28th at 7pm.
Renowned activist and scholar Noam Chomsky, Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman, Salon.com columnist Glenn Greenwald and Academy Award-winning filmmaker Michael Moore are all coming together for a special evening to support FAIR.
Watch it here--and join them in supporting FAIR today!
Watch FAIR's 25th Anniversary Celebration Live Online! April 28th at 7pm.
FAIR's 25th Anniversary event in New York City is sold out--but you can watch the live Free Speech TV webstream on FAIR's website on Thursday, April 28th at 7pm.
Renowned activist and scholar Noam Chomsky, Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman, Salon.com columnist Glenn Greenwald and Academy Award-winning filmmaker Michael Moore are all coming together for a special evening to support FAIR.
Watch it here--and join them in supporting FAIR today!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Rebellion: Smashing stereotypes of Arab women by Soumaya Ghannoushi
Rebellion: Smashing stereotypes of Arab women by Soumaya Ghannoushi (Al Jazeera English)
"Women have been at the forefront of various Arab uprisings, forging their own identity in the process." Stereotypes aren't all these rebels are smashing, but creating new images is a crucial aspect of any rebellion.
"Women have been at the forefront of various Arab uprisings, forging their own identity in the process." Stereotypes aren't all these rebels are smashing, but creating new images is a crucial aspect of any rebellion.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Koran burner gets job back, Americans vote to throw out the 1st Amendment
A NJTransit worker was fired for burning the Koran. The Daily News reported today (4/23/11) that he has gotten his job back & $25,000 in back pay. The News polled its readers and got these results:
Poll Results
Should the transit worker who was fired for burning the Koran have gotten his job back?
Yes, absolutely, his freedom of speech was violated. 9%
Yes, but he should not have gotten $25,000 in back pay. 2%
No way, he could have sparked a holy war, he's a menace. 90%
Although I disagree completely with Derek Fenton's action. I also believe that if the U.S.Constitution means anything (and from the poll above it clearly doesn't) freedom of political expression is inviolate. If we have the Right to burn the American Flag, the Constitution, the Bible, he has the right to burn The Koran no matter how despicable (and reminiscent of Fascist book burnings) the act may be. Although we have not always held to our own standards as a nation (some might say, "When have we?"), as Fenton says: "This is the very essence of the First Amendment.") The numbers in the above poll are actually far more frightening than his burning of The Koran. It also occurs to me that if the question was firing someone for burning a Christian Bible or the U.S. Constitution, Fenton would probably be in the 90%.
Poll Results
Should the transit worker who was fired for burning the Koran have gotten his job back?
Yes, absolutely, his freedom of speech was violated. 9%
Yes, but he should not have gotten $25,000 in back pay. 2%
No way, he could have sparked a holy war, he's a menace. 90%
Although I disagree completely with Derek Fenton's action. I also believe that if the U.S.Constitution means anything (and from the poll above it clearly doesn't) freedom of political expression is inviolate. If we have the Right to burn the American Flag, the Constitution, the Bible, he has the right to burn The Koran no matter how despicable (and reminiscent of Fascist book burnings) the act may be. Although we have not always held to our own standards as a nation (some might say, "When have we?"), as Fenton says: "This is the very essence of the First Amendment.") The numbers in the above poll are actually far more frightening than his burning of The Koran. It also occurs to me that if the question was firing someone for burning a Christian Bible or the U.S. Constitution, Fenton would probably be in the 90%.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
California GOP official & Tea Party activist "apologizes" for racist e-mail
When people like Tea Party activist & OC County GOP official Marilyn Davenport apologize it means absolutely nothing. First of all, they are just trying to save their asses, they certainly don't mean any of it. But more importantly their original action or comment has revealed how they really think or who they really are.
**UPDATE 4/19*** Tea activist and OC County GOP official Marilyn Davenport has apologized for sending out a racist image of President Obama.
According to KABC, Davenport issued a statement late Monday in which she apologized, but stopped short of addressing her future on the committee.
"I humbly apologize and ask for your forgiveness of my unwise behavior," the statement said. "I say unwise because at the time I received and forwarded the email, I didn't stop to think about the historic implications and other examples of how this could be offensive."
In the statement, Davenport also quoted the Bible and said she was "an imperfect Christian" who tried to "live a Christ-like honoring life."
"I would never do anything to intentionally harm or berate others regardless of ethnicity," she said. "I will not repeat this error."
--
SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) -- The California NAACP is demanding an apology from an Orange County GOP official who sent out an e-mail picturing President Barack Obama's face on the body of a baby chimpanzee.
In a statement Monday, the organization called on Marilyn Davenport to resign from the Orange County Republican Central Committee.
Several other black leaders were also holding a news conference to demand Davenport be thrown off the committee.
The message shows an image, posed like a family portrait, of chimpanzee parents and child, with Obama's face superimposed on the young chimp.
The text reads, "Now you know why no birth certificate."
Davenport's number rang busy on Monday. She has sent friends and supporters an email saying she won't resign.
**UPDATE 4/19*** Tea activist and OC County GOP official Marilyn Davenport has apologized for sending out a racist image of President Obama.
According to KABC, Davenport issued a statement late Monday in which she apologized, but stopped short of addressing her future on the committee.
"I humbly apologize and ask for your forgiveness of my unwise behavior," the statement said. "I say unwise because at the time I received and forwarded the email, I didn't stop to think about the historic implications and other examples of how this could be offensive."
In the statement, Davenport also quoted the Bible and said she was "an imperfect Christian" who tried to "live a Christ-like honoring life."
"I would never do anything to intentionally harm or berate others regardless of ethnicity," she said. "I will not repeat this error."
--
SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) -- The California NAACP is demanding an apology from an Orange County GOP official who sent out an e-mail picturing President Barack Obama's face on the body of a baby chimpanzee.
In a statement Monday, the organization called on Marilyn Davenport to resign from the Orange County Republican Central Committee.
Several other black leaders were also holding a news conference to demand Davenport be thrown off the committee.
The message shows an image, posed like a family portrait, of chimpanzee parents and child, with Obama's face superimposed on the young chimp.
The text reads, "Now you know why no birth certificate."
Davenport's number rang busy on Monday. She has sent friends and supporters an email saying she won't resign.
Monday, April 18, 2011
The Battle Is About Giving More Money to Rich People, Not About the Size and Role of Government
This is from Dean Baker's Beat the Press column, which is one of the best critiques of mainstream economic reporting. It's about the "Let them eat cake, but don't make us pay for it" boys from Wisconsin. How did Wisconsin go from "Fighting Bob" La Follette to Scott Walker and Paul Ryan?
The Battle Is About Giving More Money to Rich People, Not About the Size and Role of Government
The Battle Is About Giving More Money to Rich People, Not About the Size and Role of Government
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Israel biased Cantor works to undermine Obama - Al Jazeera English
I don't understand why an American - House member or not - who works with a foreign head of state to undermine the President isn't committing treason and shouldn't be arrested. If one of us did it we'd certainly be called a traitor & held accountable.
Israel biased Cantor works to undermine Obama - Al Jazeera English
Israel biased Cantor works to undermine Obama - Al Jazeera English
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Saturday, April 09, 2011
Director Sidney Lumet Dead at 86 - indieWIRE
With Martin Scorsese and Woody Allen, Sidney Lumet was the true film chronicler of New York City. He was nominated for four Oscars but never won one until they gave him the compensation prize of Lifetime Achievement. We will always have his films to remember him.
Director Sidney Lumet Dead at 86 - indieWIRE
Director Sidney Lumet Dead at 86 - indieWIRE
Egypt army to 'use force to clear protesters' - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
If anyone actually believed that turning the country over to the military was a solution should know better now. The Egyptian military is behaving exactly like the despotic regime that was overthrown. Quelle suprise!
Egypt army to 'use force to clear protesters' - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
Egypt army to 'use force to clear protesters' - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
Wisconsin Judicial election
The challenger liberal Anne Kloppenburg leads in the Wisconsin Supreme Court election
What's most interesting is that the incumbent right-wing justice should have won with ease
Wisconsin is saying NO! to Gov. Scott Walker
What's most interesting is that the incumbent right-wing justice should have won with ease
Wisconsin is saying NO! to Gov. Scott Walker
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
April 15: Malalai Joya and Eve Ensler
South Asia Solidarity Initiative and War Resisters League in association with Center for Place Culture & Politics at CUNY present
An evening with Malalai Joya featuring Eve Ensler:
Women Facing War in Afghanistan, and the Need for U.S. Solidarity
April 15, 7 - 9pm
CUNY Graduate Center, Recital Hall
(Ground floor, 365 Fifth Ave at 34th St)
[BDFV & NQRW trains to 34th St, 6 train to 33rd]
This event is free and open to the public.
There may be a FULL HOUSE so arrive early to guarantee admission!
Everyone is encouraged to make a donation to support the cost of Ms. Joya's tour, her health clinic in Farah Province, and her office in Kabul.
The donations should be made at the following link
(Please be sure to indicate "Malalai Joya" in the "order comments" section).
Copies of Ms. Joya's memoir will be available for sale at the event.
RSVP on Facebook:
For more information: prachi@southasiainitiative.org
As the U.S.-NATO occupation of Afghanistan approaches its 10th anniversary this year, the U.S. anti-war movement is in dire need of clarity and momentum. The Afghan people still face overwhelming oppressive obstacles to creating movements toward social justice and self-determination -- obstacles empowered by the context of foreign intervention and war. Please join us for a rare opportunity to hear from the one of the most courageous voices for justice and peace in Afghanistan, Malalai Joya. She will be joined by the acclaimed U.S. artist and activist Eve Ensler, to discuss the experiences and resilience of women (and all people) in Afghanistan -- and what people in the U.S. can do to raise their voices and support their struggles.
Speakers:
Malalai Joya is the youngest person to have been elected to Afghanistan's parliament, and an outspoken activist against military occupation and for women's rights in her country. She has been called the most famous and bravest woman in Afghanistan by BBC News. She was selected among the "heroes" for the Time 100 [TIME magazine, 2010] -- and she was just selected among the top activists of the world's Top 100 Women by the UK Guardian newspaper. Her memoir, "A Woman Among Warlords," was just published in paperback by Simon&Schuster, with a new chapter on Afghanistan in the Obama era. She just wrote a piece for the Guardian on the U.S. soldiers' "kill team" and atrocity photos, a story that has returned U.S. news attention to Afghanistan this March-April.*
Joya was supposed to arrive in the U.S. on March 18 to start a nationwide speaking tour, but at the last minute her visa was denied. A quick mobilization of media attention, activist petitioning and pressure on the State Department turned it around! [See articles in TIME magazine and the San Francisco Chronicle.] She arrived in the U.S. on March 25, joining Noam Chomsky to address a crowd of over a thousand people at Harvard. Having spoken all across the U.S, her tour concludes in New York City on April 15 at this event.
Eve Ensler is an acclaimed playwright, performer and activist. She is the award-winning author of The Vagina Monologues, which has been published in 48 languages and performed in over 140 countries. Eve's work, I Am An Emotional Creature: The Secret Life Of Girls Around The World (2010), made the New York Times' best-seller list. She is the founder of V-Day, a global movement to end violence against women and girls, which has raised over 80 million dollars for the cause. Ensler has traveled to Afghanistan, and built relationships of solidarity with activists for justice and peace there.
*Afghans for Peace, a group of Afghan youth leaders against the occupation based in US and Canada, has started a Petition and a "Video Response" project to the "Kill Team" photos.
Please show your support for their organizing for justice by:
1. Signing the petition to Stop War Crimes Against Afghan Civilians
2. Sharing your feelings by posting a "Video Response" to this video created by Afghans for Peace:
An evening with Malalai Joya featuring Eve Ensler:
Women Facing War in Afghanistan, and the Need for U.S. Solidarity
April 15, 7 - 9pm
CUNY Graduate Center, Recital Hall
(Ground floor, 365 Fifth Ave at 34th St)
[BDFV & NQRW trains to 34th St, 6 train to 33rd]
This event is free and open to the public.
There may be a FULL HOUSE so arrive early to guarantee admission!
Everyone is encouraged to make a donation to support the cost of Ms. Joya's tour, her health clinic in Farah Province, and her office in Kabul.
The donations should be made at the following link
(Please be sure to indicate "Malalai Joya" in the "order comments" section).
Copies of Ms. Joya's memoir will be available for sale at the event.
RSVP on Facebook:
For more information: prachi@southasiainitiative.org
As the U.S.-NATO occupation of Afghanistan approaches its 10th anniversary this year, the U.S. anti-war movement is in dire need of clarity and momentum. The Afghan people still face overwhelming oppressive obstacles to creating movements toward social justice and self-determination -- obstacles empowered by the context of foreign intervention and war. Please join us for a rare opportunity to hear from the one of the most courageous voices for justice and peace in Afghanistan, Malalai Joya. She will be joined by the acclaimed U.S. artist and activist Eve Ensler, to discuss the experiences and resilience of women (and all people) in Afghanistan -- and what people in the U.S. can do to raise their voices and support their struggles.
Speakers:
Malalai Joya is the youngest person to have been elected to Afghanistan's parliament, and an outspoken activist against military occupation and for women's rights in her country. She has been called the most famous and bravest woman in Afghanistan by BBC News. She was selected among the "heroes" for the Time 100 [TIME magazine, 2010] -- and she was just selected among the top activists of the world's Top 100 Women by the UK Guardian newspaper. Her memoir, "A Woman Among Warlords," was just published in paperback by Simon&Schuster, with a new chapter on Afghanistan in the Obama era. She just wrote a piece for the Guardian on the U.S. soldiers' "kill team" and atrocity photos, a story that has returned U.S. news attention to Afghanistan this March-April.*
Joya was supposed to arrive in the U.S. on March 18 to start a nationwide speaking tour, but at the last minute her visa was denied. A quick mobilization of media attention, activist petitioning and pressure on the State Department turned it around! [See articles in TIME magazine and the San Francisco Chronicle.] She arrived in the U.S. on March 25, joining Noam Chomsky to address a crowd of over a thousand people at Harvard. Having spoken all across the U.S, her tour concludes in New York City on April 15 at this event.
Eve Ensler is an acclaimed playwright, performer and activist. She is the award-winning author of The Vagina Monologues, which has been published in 48 languages and performed in over 140 countries. Eve's work, I Am An Emotional Creature: The Secret Life Of Girls Around The World (2010), made the New York Times' best-seller list. She is the founder of V-Day, a global movement to end violence against women and girls, which has raised over 80 million dollars for the cause. Ensler has traveled to Afghanistan, and built relationships of solidarity with activists for justice and peace there.
*Afghans for Peace, a group of Afghan youth leaders against the occupation based in US and Canada, has started a Petition and a "Video Response" project to the "Kill Team" photos.
Please show your support for their organizing for justice by:
1. Signing the petition to Stop War Crimes Against Afghan Civilians
2. Sharing your feelings by posting a "Video Response" to this video created by Afghans for Peace:
Allen Ginsberg died April 5, 1997
One of the iconic photos of the 20th Century Allen Ginsberg with Jean Genet in Grant Park, Chicago, 1968. (no photo credit available)
Allen Ginsberg died on this day in 1997.
Monday, April 04, 2011
April 5: Protest American aid to Israel
Protest American aid to Israel
Tuesday, April 5 at Noon
The White House
Today President Obama is hosting Israeli President Shimon Peres for a working lunch. Join us in telling President Obama to *STOP AID TO ISRAEL!*
Contact (310) 920-8248 with any questions!
Don't forget about the upcoming discussion of Jen Marlow's "The Hour of
Sunlight: One Palestinian's Journey from Prisoner to Peacemaker."
*Author Jen Marlowe discusses "The Hour of Sunlight: One Palestinian's
Journey from Prisoner to Peacemaker."*
Wednesday, April 6, 6:30pm
Jerusalem Fund, 2425 Virgina Ave NW Washington, DC 20037
In peace,
Ali, Chris, Joan, Medea, Shaden, Tighe and CODEPINK DC
[image: empowered by Salsa] < http://www.salsalabs.com/?email>
Gael Murphy
202 412 6700
www.gazafreedommarch.org
www.unitedforpeace.org
www.codepink.org
Tuesday, April 5 at Noon
The White House
Today President Obama is hosting Israeli President Shimon Peres for a working lunch. Join us in telling President Obama to *STOP AID TO ISRAEL!*
Contact (310) 920-8248 with any questions!
Don't forget about the upcoming discussion of Jen Marlow's "The Hour of
Sunlight: One Palestinian's Journey from Prisoner to Peacemaker."
*Author Jen Marlowe discusses "The Hour of Sunlight: One Palestinian's
Journey from Prisoner to Peacemaker."*
Wednesday, April 6, 6:30pm
Jerusalem Fund, 2425 Virgina Ave NW Washington, DC 20037
In peace,
Ali, Chris, Joan, Medea, Shaden, Tighe and CODEPINK DC
[image: empowered by Salsa] < http://www.salsalabs.com/?email>
Gael Murphy
202 412 6700
www.gazafreedommarch.org
www.unitedforpeace.org
www.codepink.org
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